An unidentified projectile struck a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, adding to growing tensions around one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, even as United States President Donald Trump expressed optimism that the waterway could reopen soon.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said the United States was making progress in its diplomatic efforts with Iran and claimed the Strait of Hormuz could reopen “within hours.”
He also warned Tehran that it was facing its “last chance before decapitation” if ongoing efforts to end the conflict failed.
The war began on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets.
Although both sides have observed periods of relative calm following a ceasefire and preliminary agreements, a permanent settlement remains out of reach.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz has remained one of the biggest sticking points.
Iran wants to retain control of the strategic waterway and impose transit charges on vessels passing through it, a proposal Washington has firmly rejected.
Trump said he decided to continue diplomatic efforts after appeals from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other regional allies.
But Tehran dismissed his claims, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry insisting there are no direct negotiations with the United States.
According to Trump, any agreement would cover both the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme.
While he believes movement on the shipping route could come quickly, he admitted resolving the nuclear issue would take longer.
The U.S. president also accused Iran of sending conflicting messages after denying that talks were taking place. He warned that restrictions on Iran’s maritime activities would remain until a comprehensive agreement was reached or, in his words, there was “total surrender.”
Despite months of fighting and sustained U.S. military operations, Iran still retains significant missile and drone capabilities, as well as its stockpile of enriched uranium. Tehran has repeatedly maintained that its nuclear programme is strictly for peaceful civilian purposes.
Earlier on Tuesday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said an unidentified projectile hit a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman.
The agency did not disclose the identity of the vessel and said investigations were ongoing. It also said there was no immediate information on casualties or the extent of the damage.
Shipping through the Strait remains heavily restricted, with Iran requiring vessels to seek approval from its authorities and use designated routes close to its coastline.
As a result, many commercial ships have diverted to routes nearer the coast of Oman.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that Tehran is discussing a new shipping route with Oman but stressed that the talks have nothing to do with reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
